Container handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Double discharge conveyor apparatus comprising spaced parallel discharge conveyors arranged to receive containers from a line conveyor, divide them into two rows and deliver them to a work table or tables in the form of a single broad conveyor or two narrow conveyors for inspection. A selector associated with the discharge conveyors alternately transfers one container from the line conveyor onto one of the discharge conveyors and the next onto the other of the discharge conveyors and at the same time rotates the latter containers approximately 180* so that the containers are delivered to the inspection conveyor or conveyors back to back with their labeled sides facing outwardly. The selector effects the division and orientation without interruption of the flow of the containers and is designed so that by the simple expedient of substituting one operating part for another is capable of processing containers of all sizes and cross-section.

States aterit m1 Unite Carter [54] CONTAINER HANDLING APPARATUS [75]Inventor: [73] Assignee: ATO Inc., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 16,1971 [2l] Appl. No.: 199,295

Sidney T. Carter, Shrewsbury, Mass.

[52] [1.8. CI ..l98/31 AA [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 47/26 [58] Field of Search..198/25, 31 AA, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,829,757 4/1958 Breeback..l98/3l AA Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka AttorneyRobert T. Gammonset al.

[57] ABSTRACT Double discharge conveyor apparatus comprising spacedparallel discharge conveyors arranged to receive containers from a lineconveyor, divide them into two rows and deliver them to a work table ortables in the form of a single broad conveyor or two narrow conveyorsfor inspection. A selector associated with the discharge conveyorsalternately transfers one container from the line conveyor onto one ofthe discharge conveyors and the next onto the other of the dischargeconveyors and at the same time rotates the latter containersapproximately 180 so that the containers are delivered to the inspectionconveyor or conveyors back to back with their labeled sides facingoutwardly. The selector effects the division and orientation withoutinterruption of the flow of the containers and is designed so that bythe simple expedient of substituting one operating part for another iscapable of processing containers of all sizes and cross-section.

48 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEnrmzoms SHEET 2 0F 4 Owl PATENTED3. 7 1 7. 239

SHEETMJF 4 CONTAINER HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCurrent labeling machines operate at such high speed that it becomesdifficult to inspect the labeled containers as they leave the machine,and although devices for dividing a single row of containers into two ormore rows are available such devices interfere with continuous flow ofthe containers thereby reducing efficient processing; requireduplication of operations such as respotting and are incapable ofprocessing all kind of containers regardless of size and/orcross-section. The device herein illustrated is designed to effectdivision of a single row of containers into two rows with the containersin each row facing outwardly, that is, the labeled sides facingoutwardly to facilitate inspection, to effect such division withoutinterfering with continuous flow of containers and hence withoutreduction in the output and to enable processing containers of all kindsregardless of size and/or cross-section.

SUMMARY As herein illustrated, the apparatus is designed to divide asingle row of containers without interruption of continuous flow intotwo rows and for disposing the containers in the two rows with thecorresponding sides facing outwardly for ease of inspection andcomprises a pair of discharge conveyors arranged with their endsadjacent an end of a line conveyor along which a single row ofcontainers is travelling from, for example, a label-applying apparatustoward a work table or tables in the form of a single broad conveyor ortwo narrow conveyors onto which the end of which each discharge conveyorleads. There is a selector associated with the discharge conveyorscomprising longitudinally disposed, oppositely turning rotors, one ofthe rotors having parts thereon movable from the far side of the lineconveyor transversely onto the discharge conveyor at the near side andthe other having parts thereon movable from the near side of the lineconveyor transversely onto the discharge conveyor-at the far side.Certain of the parts on the one rotor operate to intercept containers onthe line conveyor and move them therefrom onto the discharge conveyor atthe near side and others of the parts on the one rotor operate tointercept containers on the line conveyor and guide them therealong withthe line conveyor to a position of interception by parts on the otherrotor. The intercepted containers are moved from their positions ofinterception by the parts on the other rotor from the line conveyor tothe discharge conveyor at the far side. The parts on the one rotor arealternately fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor androtatable about axis spaced from and parallel thereto and comprisealternate, radially disposed, long and short arms. The long arms operateas they move near the line conveyor to intercept containers thereon andmove them bodily in an arc onto the discharge conveyor at the near side,disposed in positions in which the label-bearing sides face outwardly.The short arms of the one rotor and the arms on the other rotor incombination operate as they guide the containers along the line conveyorand move them from the line conveyor to the discharge conveyor at thefar side to turn the containers about their axis to positions in whichthe label-bearing sides face outwardly of the discharge conveyor at thefar side. As

required, the arms are provided with members of a relatively highcoefficient of friction for engagement with the containers to preventrotation thereof relative to the arms and are of a configuration toaccept the cross-section of the containers. The discharge conveyors arearranged to deliver the containers to a single broad conveyor or twonarrow conveyors constituting the work table or tables for inspectionand such other operations as are desired. There are guides providedalong the opposite sides of the discharge conveyors for guidingcontainers delivered thereto by the rotors and these guides extendcontinuously along the discharge conveyors to the place of transfer fromthe discharge conveyors to the inspection table or tables. When thedischarge conveyors lead into a single broad conveyor there arecross-over devices for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors onto the inspection conveyor. The cross-over devices mayfunction in the processing of containers of circular cross-section toeffect orientation of the containers. When the discharge conveyors haveextensions comprising the inspection conveyors the cross-over devicesare omitted for all containers which are non-circular in cross-section.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary elevation of the apparatus showing a portion ofthe conveyor on which the containers are delivered from, for example, alabeling machine to the device herein illustrated for separating thesingle row into two rows, one row on each of two discharge conveyorswhich, in turn, deliver the containers to one or more conveyors forinspection;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing a singlebroad conveyor into which the discharge conveyors lead and cross-overdevices which may function as spotters;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevation, broken away in part, taken on the line 5-5 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing modifications forprocessing containers in the form of miniature bottles of roundcross-section and showing two narrow inspection conveyors, one at theend of each of the discharge conveyors;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus modified to process containers inthe form of bottles of elliptical cross-section showing two narrowconveyors, one at the end of each discharge conveyor;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus modified to process containers inthe form of bottles of rectangular configuration showing the two narrowconveyors, one at the end of each of the discharge conveyors;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus altered to provide for containersin the form of miniature bottles of circular cross-section showing twonarrow conveyors, one at the end of each discharge conveyor and providedwith cross-over means arranged to function as spotters;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the first rotor of the pair ofrotors shown in FIG. 3 provided with modified bumpers;

FIG. 11 is an elevation of one of the short arms of the rotor shown inFIG. 10 taken on the line 1 1-1 1;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modified form of one of the long arms tomuch larger scale of the first rotor of the pair of rotors shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 13 is a section of a modified form of the short arm such as shownin FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is an elevation of the short arm shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the second rotor of the pair of rotors shownin FIG. 3 provided with modified bumpers.

Referring to the drawings (FIGS. 1 and 3), there is shown at theleft-hand side of each figure a line conveyor 10 which may be acontinuation of the conveyor at the delivery end of a labeling machine,or the line conveyor by means of which containers are moved alongrelative to a machine such as shown in my pending application Ser. No.78,652, filed Oct. 7, 1970 for applying sealing strips to the tops ofcontainers.

The containers moving along the line conveyor 10 are arranged in asingle row in spaced relation and in a predetermined position oforientation (all facing in the same direction) which was imparted to thecontainers by spotting means in the labeling machine and is continuedthrough the machine for applying sealing strips, the purpose of which isto insure application of the labels to the sides of the containers at apredetermined position and the sealing strips to the tops of thecontainers in a predetermined relation to the labels.

According to this invention the single row of containers is divided intotwo rows on spaced parallel discharge conveyors which, in turn, deliverthe two rows back-to-back to a work area for inspection and certainother hand operations such as applying tax stamps and sales tags or forspecial packaging and the like. The work area may be a single broadinspection conveyor into which the discharge conveyors lead or twonarrow inspection conveyors comprising continuous extensions ofdischarge conveyors. When the work area is a single broad inspectionconveyor there'are dead plates at the junction of the dischargeconveyors with the broad inspection conveyor and cross-over devicesoperable to carry the containers from the discharge conveyors over thedead plates onto the broad inspection conveyor. These cross-over devicesmay also function as spotters as they transfer the containers from thedischarge conveyors onto the single broad inspection conveyor. If thework area is comprised of two narrow inspection conveyors neither thedead plates nor the cross-over devices are required. However, since allround containers require a small amount of correction it is desirable touse the crossover devices in conjunction with the two narrow inspectionconveyors to effect the desired orientation of the round containers. Thedivision of the single row of containers into two rows on two spaceddischarge conveyors and from thence to the work area whether a singlebroad inspection conveyor or two narrow inspection conveyors isaccomplished, as will appear hereinafter, without interfering with thecontinuous flow of the containers and with a reduction in the rate oftravel of the containers thereby facilitating inspection and such otheroperations in the work area as required.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the provision of two dischargeconveyors 18 and 22 leading into a single, broad conveyor 24 with deadplates 80 and cross-over devices 14 which also function as spotters.Intermediate the line conveyor 10 on which the containers are arrangedin spaced relation and the discharge conveyor 18, there is a cross-overconveyor 20. Intermediate the ends of the discharge conveyors there areselector means for transferring containers from the line conveyor 10 tofirst one and then the other of the discharge conveyors l8 and 22. Theselector means comprise two rotors 26 and 28 which, in cooperation,divide the row of containers delivered thereto by the line conveyor intotwo rows, one to each of the discharge conveyors l8 and 22 atapproximately the same spacing as they had on the line conveyor 10 wherethey travel at about half the speed since the discharge conveyors 18 and22 are driven at the same rate approximately one half the speed of theline conveyor 10.

The upper surface of the line conveyor 10 and the surfaces of theconveyors 18, 20 and 22 all lie in a common horizontal plane so that thecontainers can be moved longitudinally and laterally from one conveyorsurface to another by simply sliding them along the surfaces withoutlifting them.

The two rotors 26 and 28 are disposed in longitudinally spaced relationin the direction of longitudinal movement of the conveyors'for rotationabout vertical axis and are rotated in opposite directions the rotor 26in a counterclockwise direction and the rotor 28 in a clockwisedirection.

The rotor 26 has fixed to it in vertically spaced parallel relation twosets of radially disposed arms 30, there being four such arms in eachset, at the outer ends of which there are recesses or pockets 32 of aconfiguration to receive the containers being processed. At oppositesides of the recesses 32 there are resilient bumper blocks 34-34 of amaterial having a relatively high coefficient of friction with minimumspring-back or bounce to absorb shock as the arms intercept thecontainers and to resist rotation of the containers relative to the armsas they are moved about the axis of rotation of the rotor by rotation ofthe rotor. The two sets of radial arms 30 are vertically spaced so thatthere are four bumper blocks which engage the sides of the containersabove and below mid-height. There are also on the rotor 26 intermediatethe arms 30, arms 38 comprising pockets 35 which are supported on therotor 26 by a hub 40 at a radial distance from the axis of rotation ofthe rotor. The arms 38 (FIG. 11) are vertically elongate,semicylindrical structures, extend downwardly from the hub 40 betweenthe arms 30 of the upper set of arms 30 to a level just above the lowerset of arms, as shown in FIG. 1, and are concave-convex in horizontalsection. At opposite sides of the pockets 35 there are vertically spacedbumper blocks 41-41 situated approximately l50 apart comprised of thesame material as the bumper blocks 34. If the spacing of the bumperblocks were or less the containers would not always rotate with therotors; hence the preferred spacing of The hub 40 is fixed to the rotor26 and supports peripherally of the rotor vertically mounted shafts 37,to the lower ends of which the arms 38 are fixed. Each shaft 37 has onit a gear 39 and these mesh with idler gears 45 which, in turn, meshwith a gear 43 fixed to the rotor. Rotation of the rotor 26 thus turnsthe arms 38 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the rotor 26 as acenter and rotates each arm 38 ina clockwise direction about its ownaxis as a center. The effective radius of movement of the arms 38 aboutthe axis of the rotor is less than that of the arms 30 and hence thearms 38 will be referred to upon appropriate occasion as the short arms"in distinction to the arms 30 which will be referred to as the longarms.

The bumper blocks provided in the long arms 30, as shown in FIG. 3, arerectangular in cross-section; however, these may desirably be of theshape shown in FIG. wherein the bumper block 34a at the leading side ofthe recess is in the form of a cylinder slabbed off at the inner side toprovide a flat surface 34b and the bumper at the trailing side of therecess is in the form of a cylinder 34c but is of smaller diameter thanthe bumper 34a.

The rotor 28 has three radially disposed arms 47, all of the same lengthcontaining recesses or pockets 42 and is supported from below theconveyors on a vertically disposed shaft 44 for rotation in a clockwisedirection which is opposite to that of the rotation of the rotor 26. Theopposite sides of the pockets 42 of the rotor 28 are also provided withbumper blocks 46-46 of the same material as that of the blocks in therotor 26 to insure movement of the containers with the rotor withoutrotation relative thereto and with little springback or bounce to absorbthe shock as the arms 47 intercept the containers. The preferred spacingfor the bumper blocks 46-46 is on an arc of approximately 120.

The bumper blocks provided on the arms 47, as shown in FIG. 3, arerectangular in cross-section; however these may desirably be of theshape shown in FIG. wherein the bumper blocks 46a at the roots of thearms are in the form of cylinders slabbed off at the inner sides toprovide flat surfaces 46b and the bumpers at the distal ends of the armsare in the form of a cylinder 470 but of smaller diameter than thebumpers 47a.

The rotors 26 and 28 are supported at the far side of the line conveyor10 so that rotation of the rotor 26 moves the arms 30 and 38 at the rearside of the rotor with respect to the direction of movement of theconveyors toward the line conveyor and rotation of the rotor 28 movesthe arms 47 at the rear side away from the line conveyor. The arms 30 ofthe rotor 26 are of such length and so spaced that as they cross theline conveyor they intercept every other container and move it laterallyand forwardly from the line conveyor 10 onto the discharge conveyor 22,the latter being provided at its opposite sides with guide rails 33 and36. The guide rails 33 may comprise a continuation of the guide at thecorresponding side of the line conveyor 10, crosses the conveyor 22diagonally, skirting the rotor 26 and extends along the near side in thedirection of movement of the conveyor. The guide rail 36 extends from apoint intermediate the centers of rotation of the rotors along the farside of the discharge conveyor 22 in the direction of movement of theconveyors. To minimize frictional resistance to movement of thecontainers between the guide rails the inner surfaces are lined with afriction-reducing material. The arms 38 are of shorter length so that asthey move about the axis of the rotor 26 from the conveyors 18 and tothe line conveyor 10 where they intercept the intermediate containersthey guide the latter along the line conveyor 10 to a place ofinterception by the arms of the rotor 28.

The arms 47 of the rotor 28 are of a length such that as they cross theline conveyor 10 toward the discharge conveyor 20 they intercept thecontainers moved forwardly along the line conveyor by the arms 38 andmove them across the intermediate conveyor 20 onto the dischargeconveyor 18. Guide rails 48 and 50 at opposite sides of the dischargeconveyor 18 serve to insure delivery of the containers in the directionof move ment of the discharge conveyor 18. The guide rail 48 has aportion 480 which commences at the far side of the line conveyorintermediate the rotors, skirts the rotor 28, crosses the dischargeconveyor 18 diagonally to the far side and extends therealong in thedirection of movement of the discharge conveyor 18. The guide rail 50 isstraight and extends along the near side of the discharge conveyor 18from approximately the center of rotation of the rotor 28 in thedirection of movement of the discharge conveyor 18. To minimize frictionthe surfaces of the guide rails 48 and 50 are lined with afriction-reducing material. I

As related above, the conveyors 18, 20 and 22 travel at a slower ratethan the line conveyor 10. The rotor 26 is rotated at a rate such thatwhen the arms 30 and 38 intercept containers on the line conveyor 10 thelatter holds the containers engaged with the arms until they are removedtherefrom. The arms 30 thus operate to push the containers laterally andforwardly from the line conveyor 10 onto the discharge conveyor 22 andthe arms 38 guide the containers along the line conveyor 10 to the placeof interception with the arms of the rotor 28. As soon as the arms 30travel forwardly of the line of center of rotation of the rotor 26 thedischarge conveyor 22, by reason of the fact that it is moving at afaster rate than are the arms 30 at this position, takes the containersaway from the arms, moving them forwardly in the direction of movementof the discharge conveyor 22. The rotor 28 is rotated in synchronismwith the rotor 26 so that at the place of interception the arms 38 arein a position to permit the arms 47 to pick the containers from the arms38 and move them from the line conveyor 10 across the intermediateconveyor 20 onto the discharge conveyor 18. The discharge conveyor 18 atthe forward side of the center of rotation of the rotor 28 in thedirection of movement of the conveyors is moving faster than the arms 47at this position and so takes the containers away from the arms 47 andmoves them along in the direction of movement of the discharge conveyors18.

The intermediate conveyor 20 which is situated between the line conveyor10 and the discharge conveyor 18 serves to hold the containers in thepockets 42 of the rotor 28 as they are moved from the arms 38 around therear side of the rotor 28 with respect to the direction of movement ofthe conveyors. If the forward movement of the conveyors and the rotationof the rotors are carefully adjusted the guide rail 48 could bedispensed with.

The arms 30, 38 and 47 carried by the rotors 26 and 28, as shown in FIG.3, are designed especially for containers in the form of bottles ofcircular cross-section. For containers in the form of miniature bottlesof circular cross-section the arms are modified as shown in FIG. 6. Asthere shown the rotors 26a and 28a are provided with radially disposedarms 30a, 38a and 47a containing pockets 32a, 35a and 42a of a reducedsize such as to accommodate the much smaller miniature size bottles.Because of the much smaller diameter of these miniature bottles theguide rails 33a, 36a and 48a, 50a are placed closer to provide a narrowpath for movement of the bottles along the respective conveyors.

By substitution of appropriately shaped rotors the apparatus is adaptedto handle containers in the form of flask-type bottles of ellipticalshape as well as round bottles. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 26bhas radial anns 30b with blunt ends which operate to push the bottleslaterally and forwardly from the line conveyor onto the dischargeconveyor 22. The blunt ends of the arms 30b are provided, as shown inFIG. 12, with inserts 31 comprised of the same material as theaforementioned bumpers. The inserts are set into the leading sides ofthe arms with reference to their direction of rotation at theintersection of the sides with the ends and are slabbed off to conformto the surface configuration at the sides and ends. The arms 38b whichare elongate concavo-convex structures have relatively deep pockets 35b(FIGS. 13 and 14) of polygonal cross-section, with one sidesubstantially longer than the other so as to engage one of the narrowsides of the bottle and a substantial part of one of the broad sides toenable rotating the bottles about their own centers. The inner surfacesof the structures are provided near their lower ends with a narrow strip37 of frictional material (FIG. 13). The rotor 28b has arms 47bcontaining shallow pockets 42b of arcuate shape designed to engage thenarrow sides of the bottles to remove them from the arms 38b. Since thebottles are substantially narrower in width than the diameters of thebottles shown in FIG. 3, the guide rails 33b, 36b and 48b, 50b areplaced closer together.

A similar variation of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 8 for handlingcontainers in the form of flask-type bottles of rectangularcross-section. The rotor 26c and radial arms 30c correspond very nearlyto the rotor and arms shown in FIG. 7. The blunt ends of the arms 30care provided with inserts 31c similar to those shown in FIG. 12. Thearms 380 are channel-shaped and provide relatively deep pockets 35c ofrectangular cross-section with one side longer than the other and areprovided near their lower ends with a narrow strip 370 of frictionalmaterial (FIG. 8). The rotor 28c has arms 470 containing relativelyshallow pockets 420 of angular shape designed to engage the narrow sidesof the bottles at one corner.

The apparatus thus far described may be employed to divide a single rowof containers into two rows and in doing so the containers that arepushed onto the discharge conveyor 22 are not substantially rotated sothat they travel along the discharge conveyor 22 with the labeled sidesfacing outwardly in nearly the same position of orientation that theyleft the labeling machine. The containers moved onto the dischargeconveyor 18, however, are rotated by the combined action of the rotors26 and 28 approximately 180 so that their labeled sides are disposedoutwardly in the reverse of the position in which they left the labeler.

Referring to FIG. 3, to provide for passage of the containers from thedischarge conveyors 18 and 22 to the inspection conveyor 24, thedischarge conveyors 18 and 22 are comprised of spaced parallel runs1811-1811 and 22a22a and a dead plate 80 is disposed between the runs ofeach pair at the junction of the discharge conveyors with inspectionconveyor 24. Movement of the containers across the dead plates isprovided for by the crossover devices 14 which comprise pairs of spacedparallel belts which are adapted to engage the containers as the lattermove onto the dead plates and move them therefrom onto the inspectionconveyor 24. The cross-over devices as shown in FIG. 3 each comprise aninner endless belt 56 and an outer endless belt 58. The outer endlessbelts are supported for rotation on longitudinally spaced sheaves 60 and62 and the inner belts are supported on longitudinally spaced sheaves 66and 68. The inner sides of the belts 56 and 58 of each pair aresupported in spaced parallel relation by longitudinally disposed rollers70 and 72, the rollers 70 being supported with their inner sides in asubstantially straight line between the sheaves 66 and 68, unyieldinglyso that the inner sides of the belts 56 travel along straight lines. Thebelts 58 are supported with portions of their inner sides situated instraight lines parallel to the belts 56 by the rollers 72 and these areyieldably mounted (FIG. 4) so as to permit the inner sides of the belts58 to yield a limited amount to accommodate variations in the diametersof the containers and also to accommodate protruding spotting members aby means of which the containers were initially spotted. The distancebetween the inner sides of the belts is less than the diameters of thecontainers so that the reactive pressure of the displaced belts 58 isenough to prevent the containers from turning freely about theirvertical axes as they travel across the dead plates 80.

As herein illustrated (FIG. 3), the sheaves 60 at one end of the outerbelts are mounted on fixed shafts and the sheaves 62 at the other endare mounted on shafts supported for longitudinal movement in slots 59and held spaced from the sheaves 60 by spring means 61 so as to keep thebelts taut. The sheaves 60 are driven at a constant speed by means notshown.

Initially, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the containers are lined up inthe labeling machine for application of labels thereto by spotting meansin the labeling machine and spotting members a on the containers whichin conjunction orient the containers so that corresponding sides of allof the containers face in the same direction for application of labelsto the sides and/or sealing strips to the tops. As shown in FIG. 3, aseach container leaves the line conveyor the spotting member a occupies a12 o'clock position with respect to the perpendicular axis of thecontainer and so the label occupies the 6 o'clock position. Thecontainers thus oriented when intercepted by the arms 30 are rotatedabout their own axes in a counterclockwise direction and as they movealong the arcs the arms travel about the axis of the rotor 26 andthrough the distance travelled from the line conveyor 10 to thedischarge conveyor 22 these containers may be turned from the 12 oclockposition to approximately an 1 l oclock position and so when they aremoved onto the inspection conveyor 24 they may occupy the 11 oclockposition. Thus the sides bearing the labels are offset to the right withrespect to a line of sight perpendicular to the line of travel of thecontainers. The containers intercepted by the arms 38 travel in acounterclockwise direction about the axis of the rotor 26 as the arms 38travel about the axis of the rotor 26 and are also rotated in aclockwise direction about their own axe's as the arms 38 rotate abouttheir own axes during such arcuate movement about the axis of the rotor,the net effect of which is to rotate the containers in a clockwisedirection from the 12 oclock position to about a 3 oclock position attheir interception with the arms of the rotor 28. The interceptedcontainers are then rotated by the arms 47 about their own axes in aclockwise direction as they travel with the arms about the axis ofrotation of the rotor 28 so that when they are moved onto the conveyor24 they may occupy approximately an 8 oclock position. Thus the labeledsides of the container on the discharge conveyor 18 are offset to theleft of a line of sight perpendicular to the line of travel of thecontainers. To enable ease of inspection it is desirable to effectfurther rotation of the containers in each of the rows to bring thelabeled sides of .the containers around to the 6 oclock and 12 oclockpositions on the inspection conveyor 24 or if there are two narrowinspection conveyors on the respective narrow inspection conveyors thusdisposing the labels on the containers centered with respect to a lineof sight perpendicular to the movement of the containers. This isachieved in the cross-over devices 14 by providing a variable diametersheave 66 (FIG. for the belts 56 which may be varied to change the speedof the belts 56 relative to the belts 58 and thus to effect rotation ofthe containers about their vertical axes while moving along with theinspection'conveyor 24 to turn the containers around, respectively, tothe 6 and 12 oclock positions so as to expose the labelsat oppositesides of the inspection conveyor 24 symmetrically outward for optimumviewing.

As herein illustrated (FIGS. 3 and 5), the variable diameter sheaves 66about which the inner belts are entrained at one end are mounted onfixed shafts and the sheaves 68 at the other end are mounted on shaftssupported for longitudinal movement in slots 63. The sheaves 68 areprovided with means in the form of screws 65 for effecting longitudinaladjustment of their supporting shafts relative to the sheaves 66 so asto tension the belts. The sheaves 66 are of variable pitch havingseparable spring-loaded halves 66a-66a which will move apart when thetension in the belts is increased a predetermined amount and will movetogether when the tension is decreased a predetermined amount. Thus byincreasing or decreasing the effective diameter of the sheaves 66 thespeed of the belts may be increased or decreased so as to obtain a speeddifferential between the inner and outer belts such as to rotate thecontainers to bring them into proper position for inspection. Thevariable pitch sheaves 66 are driven at a predetermined speed by meansnot shown herein.

When the containers are of non-circular cross-section the belts aredriven at the same speed since they function in this case only as meansfor transferring the containers across the dead plates on the inspectionconveyor 24.

Ill

FIG. 6 shows the discharge conveyors 1,8 and 22 as each having anextension 24a so that the containers move uninterruptedly from therotors 26a, 28a to the inspection conveyors 24a for inspection. Whileneither the dead plates nor cross-over plates are required to carrycontainers away from the rotors 26a, 28a because of the fact that theround containers have a tendency to, rotate out of position, it isdesirable to provide the cross-over devices 14d, as shown in FIG. 9,with one of the belts of each pair of belts, adjustable to move at adifferent speed than the other to enable orienting the round containersthere shown. In this figure the component parts are the same, as shownin FIG. 6, but labeled with the suffix d.

FIG. 7 shows the discharge conveyors l8 and 22 provided with continuousextensions 24b-24b so that no dead plates are required. Additionally,since the containers are of elliptical cross-section there is notendency for them to turn as they travel and hence the cross-overdevices are omitted since they are not required either for the purposeof carrying the containers onto the inspection conveyors 24b or toeffect their orientation. Similarly, FIG. 9 shows a discharge conveyorprovided with continuous extensions 24c 24c and since the containers areof rectangular configu ration there is no need for the cross-overdevices either for the purpose of carrying the containers onto theinspection conveyors 240 or to effect their orientation.

The conveyors l0, 18, 20 and 22 are of the chain link type'and as hereinillustrated (FIG. 1) the terminal end of the line conveyor 10 isentrained about a toothed wheel 71, the opposite ends of the conveyor 20are entrained about toothed wheels 73 and 72a and the terminal ends ofthe discharge conveyors l8 and 22 are entrained about toothed wheels 76.The ends of the inspection conveyor or conveyors 24, if in the form ofbelts, are entrained about a flat face pulley 78. If the inspectionconveyors are of the chain link type they are entrained about toothwheels.

The rotor 26 (FIG. 1) extends upwardly from the hub 40 through asupporting part of the frame and has fixed to its upper end a gear 82which meshes with a gear 84 by means of which it is rotated and a springrelease 83 connects the gear to the rotor so that in the event ofjamming the gear can slip.

The rotor 28 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the shaft 44 to theupper end of which it is fixed. The

lower end of the shaft 44 has fixed to it a beveled gear 94 which mesheswith a beveled gear 96 which is driven by a gear 97 which meshes with agear 98. The gears 84 and 98 by means of which rotation of therespective rotors is effected are connected to a suitable source ofpower not shown herein.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containers into two rowswithout interruption of continuous flow of the containers, comprising aline conveyor on which the single row of containers are moving inpredetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, a pair ofdischarge conveyors arranged one at each side of the line conveyor, saiddischarge conveyors moving at a predetermined lesser speed than the lineconveyor, and transfer means moving at speeds intermediate that of theline conveyor and the discharge conveyors comprising first and secondmeans, said first means being operable to move certain of the containersfrom the line conveyor to one of the discharge conveyors and to guideothers to said second means, and said second means being operable toreceive containers guided thereto from the first means and move them tothe other discharge conveyor, and wherein said second means moves at afaster rate than the first means such that the second means takes thecontainers away from the first means as the first means guidescontainers thereto. 1

2. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containers into two rows,comprising a line conveyor on which the single row of'containers aremoving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, a pair ofdischarge conveyors arranged one at each side of the line conveyor, saiddischarge conveyors moving at a predetermined lesser speed thari theline conveyor, and transfer means moving at speeds intermediate that ofthe line conveyor and the discharge conveyors comprising first andsecond means, said first means embodying alternate and intermediateparts, said alternate parts being adapted to intercept containers on theline conveyor and move them laterally therefrom onto one of thedischarge conveyors, and said intermediate parts being adapted tointercept containers on the line conveyor and guide them therealong tothe second means, and said second means being operable to intercept thecontainers guided thereto by said intermediate parts and move themlaterally onto the other of the discharge conveyors, and wherein saidsecond means moves at a faster rate than said intermediate parts.

3. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containers into two rows,comprising a line conveyor on which the single row of containers aremoving in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rate, a pairof discharge conveyors arranged one at each sideof the line conveyor,said discharge conveyors moving at a lesser rate than the line conveyor,transfer means comprising first and second rotors embodying radiallydisposed arms, the arms on said first rotor being alternately long andshort and arranged so that the long arms intercept and move containersfrom the line conveyor onto one of the discharge conveyors and the shortarms intercept containers on the line conveyor and guide them therealongto said second rotor, said long and short arms travelling at ratesslower than the line conveyor such that the line conveyor holds thecontainers engaged with said arms as they travel forwardly in thedirection of rotation, the arms on the second rotor operating tointercept containers guided thereto by the short arms of the first rotorand move them laterally onto the other discharge conveyor, and whereinthe arms of said second rotor move at a faster rate than the short armsof the first rotor.

4. Apparatus for transferring containers from a single row of containerson a line conveyor travelling in a predetermined direction and at apredetermined rate to two other conveyors travelling in the samedirection but at a lesser rate, first and second rotors disposed insuccession in the direction of movement of the conveyors, said firstrotor operating to intercept certain of the containers on the lineconveyor and move them laterally therefrom onto one of the otherconveyors and to intercept others of the containers on the line conveyorand conduct them therealong to said second rotor, said second rotoroperating to intercept the containers delivered thereto from the lineconveyor by the first rotor and move them laterally from the lineconveyor onto the other conveyor, relative movement of the rotors andline conveyor being such that the line conveyor exerts a force on thecontainers to hold them engaged with the rotors as they rotate andrelative movement of the other conveyors and the rotors being such thatthe other conveyors exert a force on the containers to move them awayfrom the rotors.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising means operable while thecontainers are being moved laterally from the line conveyor to saidother conveyor to hold the containers engaged with said second rotor atthe rear side of its rotation with respect to the direct of movement ofthe conveyors.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a conveyor situatedbetween the line conveyor and said other conveyor and travelling at thesame rate as said other conveyor, operable while the containers arebeing moved laterally from the line conveyor to said other conveyor tohold the containers engaged with said second rotor at the rear side ofits rotation with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyors.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising guide rails skirting therotors, said rails extending, respectively, from the near side of theline conveyor at the rear side of the first rotor across the conveyor tothe near side thereof and from thence along the near side of said oneconveyor to a point of discharge and from the far side of the lineconveyor intermediate the rotors across the other conveyor to the farside thereof, and from thence along said other conveyor to a point ofdischarge.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the guide rails are providedwith antifriction surfaces.

9. Apparatus for operating on a single row of containers deliveredthereto by a line conveyor having a horizontal surface on which thebottoms of the containers rest, comprising a pair of discharge conveyorshaving surfaces situated in a plane common to that of the line conveyorand with portions of the several conveyors in side-by-side relation suchthat the containers resting on the line conveyor may be transferredtherefrom to one or the other of the discharge conveyors by lateraldisplacement from the line conveyor, selector means supported above theplane of the conveyors, said selector means comprising alternate andintermediate parts, said alternate parts being operable to interceptalternate containers on the line conveyor and move them onto one of thedischarge conveyors and said intermediate parts operating to interceptintermediate containers on the line conveyor, and means operable inconjunction with said intermediate parts to effect lateral movement ofthe intermediate containers onto the other of the discharge conveyorsand to orient said intermediate containers to dispose correspondingsides thereof in predetermined opposite positions such that thecontainers travel along said discharge conveyors substantiallyback-to-back.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said discharge conveyorsextend beyond the selector means in the direction of movement.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising conveyor means to whichthe discharge conveyors deliver the containers in two rows forinspection, and means for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors onto the inspection conveyor.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means for moving thecontainers from the discharge conveyors onto the inspection conveyor isadapted to effect rotation of the containers to dispose the containersin the two rows with the label-bearing side facing outwardly.

13. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein there is a single broadinspection conveyor adapted to receive from the discharge conveyors thetwo rows of containers and there are transfer means crossing from onedischarge conveyor to the inspection conveyor for moving the containersfrom discharge conveyors onto the inspection conveyor.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each discharge conveyor hasan extension along which the containers travel for inspection.

15. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising conveyor means to whichthe discharge conveyors deliver the containers in two rows forinspection and means for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors onto the inspection conveyors comprising dead-plates crossingfrom the ends of the discharge conveyors to the adjacent ends of theinspection conveyor and spaced parallel belts extending from thedischarge conveyor onto the inspection conveyor, said belts beingmovable in the direction of movement of the conveyors and operable topush the containers across said deadplates.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of the dischargeconveyors comprises spaced parallel runs such that at the ends adjacentthe inspection conveyor the dead-plates may extend between said run asufficient distance to insure a smooth transfer of the containers fromthe discharge conveyors onto the inspection conveyor.

17. Apparatus for transferring containers from a line conveyor to a pairof discharge conveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the lineconveyor, one at the far side and the other at the near side, comprisinglongitudinally disposed, oppositely turning rotors, one of said rotorshaving parts thereon movable therewith from the far side of the lineconveyor transversely across to the near side and the other having partsthereon movable therewith from the near side of the line conveyortransversely across to the far side, certain of the parts on the onerotor operating to intercept a container on the line conveyor and moveit to the discharge conveyor at the near side and other of the parts onthe one rotor operating to intercept a container on the line conveyorand move it therealong to a position of interception by a part of theother rotor, said intercepted container being moved from its position ofinterception by said other rotor from the line conveyor to the dischargeconveyor at the far side.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the discharge conveyors arearranged in spaced parallel relation to each other.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the discharge conveyors arearranged with portions thereof extending along each side of the lineconveyor in parallel side-by-side relation thereto such that the uppersurfaces of the several conveyors lie in a common plane.

20. Apparatus for transferring containers from a line conveyor to a pairof discharge conveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the lineconveyor, one at the far side and the other at the near side, comprisinglongitudinally disposed rotors, radially disposed arms on the tworotors, on the one rotor alternate long and short arms and on the otherarms all of the same length, the long arms on said one rotor beingmovable transversely of the line conveyor from the far side toward thenear side and the arms on the other rotor being movable transversely ofthe line conveyor from the near side toward the far side, said armshaving containerreceiving recesses of a configuration adapted to embracethe containers, the long arms on the one rotor operating as they moveover the line conveyor to intercept containers thereon and move thembodily in an arc onto the discharge conveyor at the near side and theshort arms on the one rotor operating as they move over the lineconveyor to intercept containers and guide them as they are carriedalong by the line conveyor to a position of interception by an arm onthe other rotor, and said intercepting arms of the other rotor operatingto move the intercepted containers bodily from the line conveyor ontothe discharge conveyor at the far side.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said short arms on the onerotor which present the containers to the arms of the other rotor andsaid other rotor effect rotation of the containers such that when thecontainers are moved by said other rotor onto the discharge conveyor atthe far side they are substantially reversed with respect to thecontainers on the discharge conveyor at the near side.

22. Apparatus for transferring containers from a line conveyor to a pairof discharge conveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the lineconveyor, one at the far side and the other at the near side, comprisinglongitudinally disposed rotors, radially disposed arms on the rotorscomprising alternate long and short arms on the one rotor and arms allof one length on the other rotor, the arms on the two rotors beingmovable therewith about the centers of rotation of the rotors, and theshort arms on the one rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotationof the one rotor and about axes spaced from and parallel thereto, saidlong arms of the one rotor operating to intercept containers on the lineconveyor and move them along an are about the axis of rotation of theone rotor onto the discharge conveyor at the near side and said shortarms operating to intercept containers on the line conveyor and guidethem along an arc about the axis of rotation of the one rotor along theline conveyor and simultaneouslyto rotate them during such movementalong the line conveyor about axes parallel to the axis of the one rotorand said intercepting arms on the other rotor operating to move theintercepted containers from the line conveyor along an arc about theaxis of rotation of the other rotor onto the discharge conveyor at thefar side.

23. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the container-receivingrecesses at the end of the long arms are provided with spaced blocks ofmaterial having a relatively high coefficient of friction and areabsorbent of shock without rebound.

24. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said one rotor comprises apart supported for rotation about a vertical axis, said part embodying ahub rotatable therewith, a plurality of peripherally spaced, radiallyextending long arms fixed to the part and a plurality of peripherallyspaced short arms mounted on the hub around the part between the longarms, said short arms being rotatable about axes spaced from andparallel to the axis of rotation of the part.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, comprising planetary gearingrotatably connecting the parts of the short arms such that rotation ofthe rotor in a counterclockwise direction effects rotation of the shortarms in the opposite direction.

26. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said one rotor comprises apart supported for rotation about a vertical axis, said part embodying ahub, a plurality of peripherally spacdd, radially fixed long arms on thepart and a plurality of vertically elongate short arms supported by thehub in radially spaced relation to the axis of rotation of the part forrotation about axes parallel to the axis of the part, each short armextending above and below the long arms and there being one short armbetween each successive pair of long arms.

27. Apparatus according to claim 17, comprising means having arelatively high coefficient of friction fastened to said long and shortarms to frictionally resist rotation of the containers relative theretoand to absorb the shock of contact without rebound.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the container-receivingrecesses at the ends of the long arms are arcuate and the blocks offrictional material are disposed approximately 120 apart.

29. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the blocks at the leadingsides of the recesses of the longer arms are larger than those at thetrailing sides and the exposed sides, one flat, as contrasted to theblocks at the trailing sides which are cylindrical.

30. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the container-receivingrecesses of the short arms are arcuate and vertically elongate and areprovided near their lower ends with strips of frictional material whichabsorb shock.

31. Apparatus for transferring containers from a line conveyor to a pairof discharge conveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the lineconveyor, one at the far side and the other at the near side, comprisinglongitudinally disposed rotors, radially disposed arms on the rotorscomprising alternate long and short arms on the one rotor and arms allof one length on the other rotor, the arms on the two rotors beingmovable therewith about the centers of rotation of the rotors and theshort arms on the one rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotationof the one rotor and about axes spaced from and parallel thereto, saidlong arms of the one rotor operating to intercept containers on the lineconveyor and move them along an are about the axis of rotation of theone rotor onto the discharge conveyor at the near side, and said shortarms operating to intercept the containers on the line conveyor andguide them along an arc about the axes of rotation of the one rotoralong the line conveyor and simultaneously to rotate them during suchmovement along the line conveyor about axes parallel to the axis of theone rotor, and said intercepting arms on the other rotor operating tomove the intercepted containers from the line conveyor along an areabout the axis of rotation of the other rotor onto the dischargeconveyor to the far side, said long arms having blunt ends designed topush the containers from the line conveyor onto the discharge conveyorat the near side and having inserts of frictional shock-absorbentmaterial set into the blunt end thereof at the leading side for makinginitial contact with the containers.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the inserts at the bluntends of the long arms are set into the ends at the intersection of theends and their leading sides, the exposed surfaces of the insertscorresponding to the profile of the arms at the comers.

33. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the arms of said otherrotor contain arcuate recesses situated at the leading sides of the armin the direction of rotation and blocks of frictional material set intothe arm at the opposite sides of the recesses adjacent the roots andtips of the arms, the blocks at the roots being larger than the blocksat the tips.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the exposed sides of theblocks at the roots are flat and exposed sides of the blocks at the tipsare cylindrical.

35. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the short arms are ofpolygonal section and are provide near their lower ends with frictionalshock-absorbent material.

36. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the short arms are ofrectangular section and are provided near their lower ends withfrictional shock-absorbent material.

37. Apparatus according to claim 17, comprising guide members mounted atthe outer sides of the discharge conveyors at the near and far sides.

38. Apparatus according to claim 17, comprising means forming a passagealong each of the discharge conveyors at the near and far sides intowhich the containers are delivered by said rotors with correspondingsides of the containers facing outwardly.

39. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means for moving thecontainers from the discharge conveyor onto the inspection conveyorcomprise spaced parallel endless belts extending from the dischargeconveyor to the inspection conveyor and from passages along which thecontainers are adapted to be moved by engagement of the belts therewith,and means for effecting movement of the belts of each pair of belts tomove the containers from the discharge conveyors onto the inspectionconveyor.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the endless belts of eachpair have spaced parallel runs adapted to engage the sides of thecontainers moving therealong and there is means yieldably supporting therun of one of the belts of each pair relative to the run of the otherbelt to accommodate minor variations in container size and to yieldsufficiently when the containers are properly oriented to allow for thespotting member.

41. Apparatus according-to claim 39, wherein there are longitudinallyspaced sheaves supporting the ends of the outer belts, one of which ismounted on a fixed shaft and the other of which is mounted on a shaftmovable longitudinally with respect to the one sheave, and there isspring means yieldably holding said other sheave spaced from the onesheave at a distance to maintain the belts taut.

42. Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein there are longitudinallyspaced sheaves supporting the inner belts, the sheaves at one end beingmounted on fixed shafts and the sheaves at the other end being mountedon movable shafts, said sheaves at the one end comprising yieldablyseparable halves, and means for effecting adjustment of the sheaves atthe other end relatively to the sheaves at the one end to increase ordecrease the effective diameters of the sheaves at the one end.

43. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising inspection conveyor meansassociated with said discharge conveyors to which said dischargeconveyors deliver the two rows of containers with all of the containersin one row facing in the same direction but in the two rows facing inopposite directions.

44. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said inspection conveyormeans comprises a single broad conveyor arranged with an end adjacentthe discharge ends of said discharge conveyors such that said dischargeconveyors move the containers onto the single inspection conveyor in twospaced parallel single rows.

45. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said in spection conveyormeans comprise extensions of the discharge conveyors on which thecontainers travel away from the rotor in spaced parallel single rows.

46. Apparatus according to claim 44, wherein there are dead-platesextending from the ends of the discharge conveyors across to theinspection conveyor and there are transfer devices for moving thecontainers from the discharge conveyors across the deadplates onto theinspection conveyor.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said transfer devices areoperable to rotate the containers about their vertical axes to effectorientation thereof.

48. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein there are devices situatedalong the opposite sides of the extensions of the discharge conveyorsoperable to rotate the containers about their vertical axes to effectorientation thereof.

1. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containers into two rowswithout interruption of continuous flow of the containers, comprising aline conveyor on which the single row of containers are moving inpredetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, a pair ofdischarge conveyors arranged one at each side of the line conveyor, saiddischarge conveyors moving at a predetermined lesser speed than the lineconveyor, and transfer means moving at speeds intermediate that of theline conveyor and the discharge conveyors comprising first and secondmeans, said first means being operable to move certain of the containersfrom the line conveyor to one of the discharge conveyors and to guideothers to said second means, and said second means being operable toreceive containers guided thereto from the first meaNs and move them tothe other discharge conveyor, and wherein said second means moves at afaster rate than the first means such that the second means takes thecontainers away from the first means as the first means guidescontainers thereto.
 1. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containersinto two rows without interruption of continuous flow of the containers,comprising a line conveyor on which the single row of containers aremoving in predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, a pairof discharge conveyors arranged one at each side of the line conveyor,said discharge conveyors moving at a predetermined lesser speed than theline conveyor, and transfer means moving at speeds intermediate that ofthe line conveyor and the discharge conveyors comprising first andsecond means, said first means being operable to move certain of thecontainers from the line conveyor to one of the discharge conveyors andto guide others to said second means, and said second means beingoperable to receive containers guided thereto from the first meaNs andmove them to the other discharge conveyor, and wherein said second meansmoves at a faster rate than the first means such that the second meanstakes the containers away from the first means as the first means guidescontainers thereto.
 2. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containersinto two rows, comprising a line conveyor on which the single row ofcontainers are moving in a predetermined direction at a predeterminedspeed, a pair of discharge conveyors arranged one at each side of theline conveyor, said discharge conveyors moving at a predetermined lesserspeed than the line conveyor, and transfer means moving at speedsintermediate that of the line conveyor and the discharge conveyorscomprising first and second means, said first means embodying alternateand intermediate parts, said alternate parts being adapted to interceptcontainers on the line conveyor and move them laterally therefrom ontoone of the discharge conveyors, and said intermediate parts beingadapted to intercept containers on the line conveyor and guide themtherealong to the second means, and said second means being operable tointercept the containers guided thereto by said intermediate parts andmove them laterally onto the other of the discharge conveyors, andwherein said second means moves at a faster rate than said intermediateparts.
 3. Apparatus for dividing a single row of containers into tworows, comprising a line conveyor on which the single row of containersare moving in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rate, apair of discharge conveyors arranged one at each side of the lineconveyor, said discharge conveyors moving at a lesser rate than the lineconveyor, transfer means comprising first and second rotors embodyingradially disposed arms, the arms on said first rotor being alternatelylong and short and arranged so that the long arms intercept and movecontainers from the line conveyor onto one of the discharge conveyorsand the short arms intercept containers on the line conveyor and guidethem therealong to said second rotor, said long and short armstravelling at rates slower than the line conveyor such that the lineconveyor holds the containers engaged with said arms as they travelforwardly in the direction of rotation, the arms on the second rotoroperating to intercept containers guided thereto by the short arms ofthe first rotor and move them laterally onto the other dischargeconveyor, and wherein the arms of said second rotor move at a fasterrate than the short arms of the first rotor.
 4. Apparatus fortransferring containers from a single row of containers on a lineconveyor travelling in a predetermined direction and at a predeterminedrate to two other conveyors travelling in the same direction but at alesser rate, first and second rotors disposed in succession in thedirection of movement of the conveyors, said first rotor operating tointercept certain of the containers on the line conveyor and move themlaterally therefrom onto one of the other conveyors and to interceptothers of the containers on the line conveyor and conduct themtherealong to said second rotor, said second rotor operating tointercept the containers delivered thereto from the line conveyor by thefirst rotor and move them laterally from the line conveyor onto theother conveyor, relative movement of the rotors and line conveyor beingsuch that the line conveyor exerts a force on the containers to holdthem engaged with the rotors as they rotate and relative movement of theother conveyors and the rotors being such that the other conveyors exerta force on the containers to move them away from the rotors. 5.Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising means operable while thecontainers are being moved laterally from the line conveyor to saidother conveyor to hold the containers engaged with said second rotor atthe rear side of its rotation with respect to the direct of movement ofthe conveyors.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a cOnveyorsituated between the line conveyor and said other conveyor andtravelling at the same rate as said other conveyor, operable while thecontainers are being moved laterally from the line conveyor to saidother conveyor to hold the containers engaged with said second rotor atthe rear side of its rotation with respect to the direction of movementof the conveyors.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising guiderails skirting the rotors, said rails extending, respectively, from thenear side of the line conveyor at the rear side of the first rotoracross the conveyor to the near side thereof and from thence along thenear side of said one conveyor to a point of discharge and from the farside of the line conveyor intermediate the rotors across the otherconveyor to the far side thereof, and from thence along said otherconveyor to a point of discharge.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the guide rails are provided with antifriction surfaces. 9.Apparatus for operating on a single row of containers delivered theretoby a line conveyor having a horizontal surface on which the bottoms ofthe containers rest, comprising a pair of discharge conveyors havingsurfaces situated in a plane common to that of the line conveyor andwith portions of the several conveyors in side-by-side relation suchthat the containers resting on the line conveyor may be transferredtherefrom to one or the other of the discharge conveyors by lateraldisplacement from the line conveyor, selector means supported above theplane of the conveyors, said selector means comprising alternate andintermediate parts, said alternate parts being operable to interceptalternate containers on the line conveyor and move them onto one of thedischarge conveyors and said intermediate parts operating to interceptintermediate containers on the line conveyor, and means operable inconjunction with said intermediate parts to effect lateral movement ofthe intermediate containers onto the other of the discharge conveyorsand to orient said intermediate containers to dispose correspondingsides thereof in predetermined opposite positions such that thecontainers travel along said discharge conveyors substantiallyback-to-back.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said dischargeconveyors extend beyond the selector means in the direction of movement.11. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising conveyor means to whichthe discharge conveyors deliver the containers in two rows forinspection, and means for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors onto the inspection conveyor.
 12. Apparatus according to claim11, wherein said means for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors onto the inspection conveyor is adapted to effect rotation ofthe containers to dispose the containers in the two rows with thelabel-bearing side facing outwardly.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 9,wherein there is a single broad inspection conveyor adapted to receivefrom the discharge conveyors the two rows of containers and there aretransfer means crossing from one discharge conveyor to the inspectionconveyor for moving the containers from discharge conveyors onto theinspection conveyor.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein eachdischarge conveyor has an extension along which the containers travelfor inspection.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising conveyormeans to which the discharge conveyors deliver the containers in tworows for inspection and means for moving the containers from thedischarge conveyors onto the inspection conveyors comprising dead-platescrossing from the ends of the discharge conveyors to the adjacent endsof the inspection conveyor and spaced parallel belts extending from thedischarge conveyor onto the inspection conveyor, said belts beingmovable in the direction of movement of the conveyors and operable topush the containers across said dead-plates.
 16. Apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein each of the discharge conveyors Comprises spacedparallel runs such that at the ends adjacent the inspection conveyor thedead-plates may extend between said run a sufficient distance to insurea smooth transfer of the containers from the discharge conveyors ontothe inspection conveyor.
 17. Apparatus for transferring containers froma line conveyor to a pair of discharge conveyors arranged with theirends adjacent the line conveyor, one at the far side and the other atthe near side, comprising longitudinally disposed, oppositely turningrotors, one of said rotors having parts thereon movable therewith fromthe far side of the line conveyor transversely across to the near sideand the other having parts thereon movable therewith from the near sideof the line conveyor transversely across to the far side, certain of theparts on the one rotor operating to intercept a container on the lineconveyor and move it to the discharge conveyor at the near side andother of the parts on the one rotor operating to intercept a containeron the line conveyor and move it therealong to a position ofinterception by a part of the other rotor, said intercepted containerbeing moved from its position of interception by said other rotor fromthe line conveyor to the discharge conveyor at the far side. 18.Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the discharge conveyors arearranged in spaced parallel relation to each other.
 19. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the discharge conveyors are arranged withportions thereof extending along each side of the line conveyor inparallel side-by-side relation thereto such that the upper surfaces ofthe several conveyors lie in a common plane.
 20. Apparatus fortransferring containers from a line conveyor to a pair of dischargeconveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the line conveyor, one atthe far side and the other at the near side, comprising longitudinallydisposed rotors, radially disposed arms on the two rotors, on the onerotor alternate long and short arms and on the other arms all of thesame length, the long arms on said one rotor being movable transverselyof the line conveyor from the far side toward the near side and the armson the other rotor being movable transversely of the line conveyor fromthe near side toward the far side, said arms having container-receivingrecesses of a configuration adapted to embrace the containers, the longarms on the one rotor operating as they move over the line conveyor tointercept containers thereon and move them bodily in an arc onto thedischarge conveyor at the near side and the short arms on the one rotoroperating as they move over the line conveyor to intercept containersand guide them as they are carried along by the line conveyor to aposition of interception by an arm on the other rotor, and saidintercepting arms of the other rotor operating to move the interceptedcontainers bodily from the line conveyor onto the discharge conveyor atthe far side.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said shortarms on the one rotor which present the containers to the arms of theother rotor and said other rotor effect rotation of the containers suchthat when the containers are moved by said other rotor onto thedischarge conveyor at the far side they are substantially reversed withrespect to the containers on the discharge conveyor at the near side.22. Apparatus for transferring containers from a line conveyor to a pairof discharge conveyors arranged with their ends adjacent the lineconveyor, one at the far side and the other at the near side, comprisinglongitudinally disposed rotors, radially disposed arms on the rotorscomprising alternate long and short arms on the one rotor and arms allof one length on the other rotor, the arms on the two rotors beingmovable therewith about the centers of rotation of the rotors, and theshort arms on the one rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotationof the one rotor and about axes spaced from and parallel thereto, saidlong arms of the one rotor operating tO intercept containers on the lineconveyor and move them along an arc about the axis of rotation of theone rotor onto the discharge conveyor at the near side and said shortarms operating to intercept containers on the line conveyor and guidethem along an arc about the axis of rotation of the one rotor along theline conveyor and simultaneously to rotate them during such movementalong the line conveyor about axes parallel to the axis of the one rotorand said intercepting arms on the other rotor operating to move theintercepted containers from the line conveyor along an arc about theaxis of rotation of the other rotor onto the discharge conveyor at thefar side.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein thecontainer-receiving recesses at the end of the long arms are providedwith spaced blocks of material having a relatively high coefficient offriction and are absorbent of shock without rebound.
 24. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein said one rotor comprises a part supportedfor rotation about a vertical axis, said part embodying a hub rotatabletherewith, a plurality of peripherally spaced, radially extending longarms fixed to the part and a plurality of peripherally spaced short armsmounted on the hub around the part between the long arms, said shortarms being rotatable about axes spaced from and parallel to the axis ofrotation of the part.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, comprisingplanetary gearing rotatably connecting the parts of the short arms suchthat rotation of the rotor in a counterclockwise direction effectsrotation of the short arms in the opposite direction.
 26. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein said one rotor comprises a part supportedfor rotation about a vertical axis, said part embodying a hub, aplurality of peripherally spacdd, radially fixed long arms on the partand a plurality of vertically elongate short arms supported by the hubin radially spaced relation to the axis of rotation of the part forrotation about axes parallel to the axis of the part, each short armextending above and below the long arms and there being one short armbetween each successive pair of long arms.
 27. Apparatus according toclaim 17, comprising means having a relatively high coefficient offriction fastened to said long and short arms to frictionally resistrotation of the containers relative thereto and to absorb the shock ofcontact without rebound.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 27, whereinthe container-receiving recesses at the ends of the long arms arearcuate and the blocks of frictional material are disposed approximately120* apart.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the blocks atthe leading sides of the recesses of the longer arms are larger thanthose at the trailing sides and the exposed sides, one flat, ascontrasted to the blocks at the trailing sides which are cylindrical.30. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the container-receivingrecesses of the short arms are arcuate and vertically elongate and areprovided near their lower ends with strips of frictional material whichabsorb shock.
 31. Apparatus for transferring containers from a lineconveyor to a pair of discharge conveyors arranged with their endsadjacent the line conveyor, one at the far side and the other at thenear side, comprising longitudinally disposed rotors, radially disposedarms on the rotors comprising alternate long and short arms on the onerotor and arms all of one length on the other rotor, the arms on the tworotors being movable therewith about the centers of rotation of therotors and the short arms on the one rotor being rotatable about theaxis of rotation of the one rotor and about axes spaced from andparallel thereto, said long arms of the one rotor operating to interceptcontainers on the line conveyor and move them along an arc about theaxis of rotation of the one rotor onto the discharge conveyor at thenear side, and said short arms operating to intercept the containers onthe liNe conveyor and guide them along an arc about the axes of rotationof the one rotor along the line conveyor and simultaneously to rotatethem during such movement along the line conveyor about axes parallel tothe axis of the one rotor, and said intercepting arms on the other rotoroperating to move the intercepted containers from the line conveyoralong an arc about the axis of rotation of the other rotor onto thedischarge conveyor to the far side, said long arms having blunt endsdesigned to push the containers from the line conveyor onto thedischarge conveyor at the near side and having inserts of frictionalshock-absorbent material set into the blunt end thereof at the leadingside for making initial contact with the containers.
 32. Apparatusaccording to claim 31, wherein the inserts at the blunt ends of the longarms are set into the ends at the intersection of the ends and theirleading sides, the exposed surfaces of the inserts corresponding to theprofile of the arms at the corners.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 20,wherein the arms of said other rotor contain arcuate recesses situatedat the leading sides of the arm in the direction of rotation and blocksof frictional material set into the arm at the opposite sides of therecesses adjacent the roots and tips of the arms, the blocks at theroots being larger than the blocks at the tips.
 34. Apparatus accordingto claim 33, wherein the exposed sides of the blocks at the roots areflat and exposed sides of the blocks at the tips are cylindrical. 35.Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the short arms are of polygonalsection and are provide near their lower ends with frictionalshock-absorbent material.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 20, whereinthe short arms are of rectangular section and are provided near theirlower ends with frictional shock-absorbent material.
 37. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, comprising guide members mounted at the outersides of the discharge conveyors at the near and far sides. 38.Apparatus according to claim 17, comprising means forming a passagealong each of the discharge conveyors at the near and far sides intowhich the containers are delivered by said rotors with correspondingsides of the containers facing outwardly.
 39. Apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said means for moving the containers from thedischarge conveyor onto the inspection conveyor comprise spaced parallelendless belts extending from the discharge conveyor to the inspectionconveyor and from passages along which the containers are adapted to bemoved by engagement of the belts therewith, and means for effectingmovement of the belts of each pair of belts to move the containers fromthe discharge conveyors onto the inspection conveyor.
 40. Apparatusaccording to claim 39, wherein the endless belts of each pair havespaced parallel runs adapted to engage the sides of the containersmoving therealong and there is means yieldably supporting the run of oneof the belts of each pair relative to the run of the other belt toaccommodate minor variations in container size and to yield sufficientlywhen the containers are properly oriented to allow for the spottingmember.
 41. Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein there arelongitudinally spaced sheaves supporting the ends of the outer belts,one of which is mounted on a fixed shaft and the other of which ismounted on a shaft movable longitudinally with respect to the onesheave, and there is spring means yieldably holding said other sheavespaced from the one sheave at a distance to maintain the belts taut. 42.Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein there are longitudinally spacedsheaves supporting the inner belts, the sheaves at one end being mountedon fixed shafts and the sheaves at the other end being mounted onmovable shafts, said sheaves at the one end comprising yieldablyseparable halves, and means for effecting adjustment of the sheaves atthe other end relatively to the sheaves at the one end to increase ordecreAse the effective diameters of the sheaves at the one end. 43.Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising inspection conveyor meansassociated with said discharge conveyors to which said dischargeconveyors deliver the two rows of containers with all of the containersin one row facing in the same direction but in the two rows facing inopposite directions.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein saidinspection conveyor means comprises a single broad conveyor arrangedwith an end adjacent the discharge ends of said discharge conveyors suchthat said discharge conveyors move the containers onto the singleinspection conveyor in two spaced parallel single rows.
 45. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said inspection conveyor means compriseextensions of the discharge conveyors on which the containers travelaway from the rotor in spaced parallel single rows.
 46. Apparatusaccording to claim 44, wherein there are dead-plates extending from theends of the discharge conveyors across to the inspection conveyor andthere are transfer devices for moving the containers from the dischargeconveyors across the dead-plates onto the inspection conveyor. 47.Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said transfer devices areoperable to rotate the containers about their vertical axes to effectorientation thereof.